Gospel Hope for the Passive-Aggressive (Proverbs 6)

What if the good life doesn’t come from having the ability to do what we want, but having the ability to do what we were made for?

What if freedom doesn’t come from avoiding limitations but from choosing the right ones.

“Go to the ant, O Sluggard…!” (Proverbs 6:6)

Message title: Gospel Hope for the Passive-Aggressive
Third week of Summer journey in Wisdom Books, The Good Path
Scriptures: Proverbs 6
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 7/8/18

Listen to audio:

Notes:

A sluggard has been compared to how cold honey or syrup oozes ever-so-slowly out of the bottle. It. Takes. Too. Long.
That’s the sluggard: slow, hesitant, sluggish. At the precise moment he needs to be quick, decisive, forthright.
His life motto is “Don’t rush me!” (Slow down!) Other Proverbs speak to this individual: “As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed” (26:14).

The sluggard refuses to make up his mind, will not finish things, and won’t face the challenges of life.

So, what should the Sluggard do?

Go to the ant, and take notes, son.

There he will learn about inner motivation, hard work, and future preparation.

Are you getting ready right now, in this day of harvest? In the day of plenty are you taking stock (emotionally, not just financially) so that when the day of difficult comes you are not thrown off as one unprepared.

We live in a society of moral relativism + constant outrage.

(“It doesn’t matter how I live, as long as I don’t hurt anybody! But YOU cannot think or live that way over there.” And yet this passage speaks a better way. Yes, it matters, and that is why God hates it: he wants more for people!)

The Gospel speaks of a new society, the church, where there are moral absolutes + constant kindness.

When we set aside a sluggard’s mentality, and refuse to be “worthless people,” as God describes, we get to be the kind of people God uses to build unity and beauty among flourishing relationships.

New City Catechism

Question 2:

Q. What is God?

A. God is the creator and sustainer of everyone and everything. He is eternal, infinite, and unchangeable in his power and perfection, goodness and glory, wisdom, justice, and truth. Nothing happens except through him and by his will.

Quotes:

Cicero: ”The gods attend to great matters; they neglect small ones.” 1

Jesus: [The true and living God oversees the great matters and indeed cares about the smallest of matters] ”Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered.”

“The Gospel shows us such glory in God, and in ourselves because of Christ, that gospel-people become accomplishment-hungry.
A Christian family, should be like an anthill, everyone busily accomplishing something.
A healthy church is like an anthill, everyone actively achieving together. Wise people love goals and strategies to leverage their present into a better future.”
—Ray Ortlund, Jr.

“Your danger and mine is not that we become criminals, but rather that we become respectable, decent, commonplace, mediocre Christians.
The twentieth-century temptations that really sap our spiritual power are the television, banana cream pie, the easy chair, and the credit card.
The Christian wins or loses in those seemingly innocent little moments of decision.
Lord, make my life a miracle!”
—Ray Ortlund, Sr.

(From week one):

“The book of Proverbs is a gospel book, because it is part of the Bible. That means the book of Proverbs is good news for bad people. It is about grace for sinners. It is about hope for failures. It is about wisdom for idiots. This book is Jesus himself coming to us as our counselor, as our sage, as our life coach. The Lord Jesus Christ is a competent thinker for all things and all cultures. He is a genius. And he freely others us, even us, his unique wisdom.”
—Ray Ortlund Jr., Proverbs: Wisdom That Works (WTS Books | Amazon)

Scripture Readings:

Proverbs 6:1-19 (ESV)

Practical Warnings

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor,
    have given your pledge for a stranger,
if you are snared in the words of your mouth,
    caught in the words of your mouth,
then do this, my son, and save yourself,
    for you have come into the hand of your neighbor:
    go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.
Give your eyes no sleep
    and your eyelids no slumber;
save yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter,
    like a bird from the hand of the fowler.

Go to the ant, O sluggard;
    consider her ways, and be wise.
Without having any chief,
    officer, or ruler,
she prepares her bread in summer
    and gathers her food in harvest.
How long will you lie there, O sluggard?
    When will you arise from your sleep?
10 A little sleep, a little slumber,
    a little folding of the hands to rest,
11 and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
    and want like an armed man.

12 A worthless person, a wicked man,
    goes about with crooked speech,
13 winks with his eyes, signals with his feet,
    points with his finger,
14 with perverted heart devises evil,
    continually sowing discord;
15 therefore calamity will come upon him suddenly;
    in a moment he will be broken beyond healing.

16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.


Audio for this teaching may be played above, and is included in the RENEW Church podcastsubscribe in iTunes here, or Google Play podcasts here, or access the church podcast feed directly here. (Subscribe below for all new blog posts via email.)

  1.  Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.), Roman orator, philosopher, statesman.

Confidence Along the Good Path (Proverbs 3 & 4)

We courageously enter any path where and when we feel confident. 

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones. 1

Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life. 2

Message title: Confidence Along the Good Path
Second week of Summer journey in Wisdom Books, The Good Path
Scriptures: Proverbs 3 & 4
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 7/1/18

Listen to audio:

Notes:

Let us assume everyone is experiencing deep pain and brokenness, that there may be a hidden sadness.

This can help us extend greater mercy and grace towards others.

When we consider the preciousness of people, and teach that to one another, we have the power to change the world. We really do. Is not

When we see the sorrow and enter into it, we are not aimless nor hopeless. We don’t have to point out the flaws of everyone, but like Paul told Timothy just prior, we get to fulfill our ministries “with complete patience and teaching.”

We are armed with more Hope than anyone every imagined could be freely available.

So many people will offer quick tips and shortcuts to the “good life,” that is a good hope for this life, and the next. These are supposed “force-fields” against troubles and sorrow. But they simply will let you down when you need them most.

What is better than a force-field against difficulty in this life (the sham prosperity “gospel” preachers be shamed)? It is the Good News of Jesus, WHO Himself is our Defender, Protector, Shield, — our FORCE against despair.

New City Catechism

Question 1:

Q. What is our only hope in life and death?

A. That we are not our own but belong, body and soul, both in life and death, to God and to our Savior Jesus Christ.

Quotes:

“With courage, this season of history can be viewed not with fear and trepidation, but instead with hope and a sense of opportunity.”
—Matt Chandler (Take Heart)

(From week one):

“The book of Proverbs is a gospel book, because it is part of the Bible. That means the book of Proverbs is good news for bad people. It is about grace for sinners. It is about hope for failures. It is about wisdom for idiots. This book is Jesus himself coming to us as our counselor, as our sage, as our life coach. The Lord Jesus Christ is a competent thinker for all things and all cultures. He is a genius. And he freely others us, even us, his unique wisdom.”
—Ray Ortlund Jr., Proverbs: Wisdom That Works (WTS Books | Amazon)

Scripture Readings:

Proverbs 3 (ESV)

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord‘s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom

13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.

19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The Lord‘s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.
35 The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get disgrace.

Proverbs 4 (ESV)

A Father's Wise Instruction

Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction,
and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
for I give you good precepts;
do not forsake my teaching.
When I was a son with my father,
tender, the only one in the sight of my mother,
he taught me and said to me,
“Let your heart hold fast my words;
keep my commandments, and live.
Get wisdom; get insight;
do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.
Do not forsake her, and she will keep you;
love her, and she will guard you.
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom,
and whatever you get, get insight.
Prize her highly, and she will exalt you;
she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place on your head a graceful garland;
she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”

10 Hear, my son, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
11 I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
12 When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
13 Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
14 Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of the evil.
15 Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
16 For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
17 For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
18 But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble.

20 My son, be attentive to my words;
incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not escape from your sight;
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and healing to all their flesh.
23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
for from it flow the springs of life.
24 Put away from you crooked speech,
and put devious talk far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly forward,
and your gaze be straight before you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet;
then all your ways will be sure.
27 Do not swerve to the right or to the left;
turn your foot away from evil.


Audio for this teaching may be played above, and is included in the RENEW Church podcastsubscribe in iTunes here, or Google Play podcasts here, or access the church podcast feed directly here. (Subscribe below for all new blog posts via email.)

  1. Proverbs 3:3-8
  2. Proverbs 4:23

Renew Kids: Sunday, July 9th, 2017 (Learning Together)

In our desire to equip parents as they “train their children up in the way they should go,” we have created a blog series to communicate the lessons our kids will be learning each Sunday, family verses to memorize together, and resources to help you as the parent to disciple your children.

Renew Kids

The word “disciple” means to intentionally impact the life of someone in the direction of being more like Jesus.

Disciples follow Jesus and help others follow Him too.

Every week faithful servants enter into this discipleship process with the children in Renew Kids. Three are three classes this Sunday: Nursery (ages birth-3), Primary (ages 3-6), and Challenge (ages 6-9).

This Week’s Story Catechism (Rebellion: The Consequence)

This week we continue our Summer adventure in the Story CatechismTake it with you!

The ninth chapter of the Story Catechism is about the Consequence:

Because Adam and Eve sinned, everything changed.
Adam and Eve forgot.
God is holy and always does what is good, right, and perfect.
Because God is holy, he does not allow sin to be in his presence.
So God punished Adam and Eve by removing them from the garden (His presence).

 

Primary Class 

Our curriculum for the Primary class comes from The Gospel Project for Kids and will immerse our kids in the gospel through every story, theological concept, and call to mission from Genesis to Revelation. Ultimately, the gospel message changes everything; heart transformation can only take place when our children experience the gospel. Through The Gospel Project for Kids, our kids will understand the Bible is not just a collection of stories, but one unified story—God’s story of redemption.

 Unit Focus: Jesus the Storyteller

Jesus told parables, or stories, to help people understand what the kingdom of heaven is like. Jesus’ parables show what it looks like to live in God’s kingdom where Jesus reigns supreme. One day, these stories will become our reality when Jesus returns and reverses the curse of sin.

Unit Key Passage:

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.

Mark 6:34

Session Focus: The Wicked Tenants

Bible Passage: Matthew 21:33-45

Main Point:  God will judge those who reject Jesus.

Big Picture Question: Why did Jesus tell parables? Jesus told parables to teach people about God and His kingdom.

Christ Connection:  Jesus told this story to teach the religious leaders about Himself. God sent His own Son, Jesus, to earth but the religious leaders rejected Him. Jesus is the cornerstone— the most important One of all. Only He can save us from our sin.

Challenge Class

The Challenge Class will be meeting once a month during the summer: June 4th, July 9th, and August 6th

This week the Challenge class will be meeting and will be continuing their study of the Psalms. The book of Psalms is filled with songs and prayers offered to God by the nation of Israel. The Psalms are very diverse, some of them explode with praise to God, while others reveal the troubled heart of a mourner. They are unified in the fact that they are centered upon the one and only Living God. Over the summer we will be challenging the kids to read the first 41 Psalms and memorize one of the Psalms.

 Mission in Uganda

Working with Paul Hunter from Next Gen Ministries, he has found the Challenge Class a new mission in Uganda.

David is a young boy that is 12 years old who lives in Uganda and had his leg amputated as an infant. The Challenge Class is working on helping David buy a prosthetic leg in a couple of years when he is ready.  How will they do this? Every week the kids in the Challenge Class have the opportunity to earn marbles to fill up a jar and every marble they earn will be worth $2 a piece to go towards David’s new leg. How do they earn marbles?

The kids in Challenge Class can earn marbles in these ways:

  1. Memorize the scripture verse for their Challenge Class
  2. Study the Bible at home
  3. Draw a picture of something they learned in the bible
  4. Learn a new story from the Bible
  5. Draw or Write in their prayer/thankfulness journal
  6. Pray or Read a Psalm during the week

 Hannah Hoover and the World Race

We heard from our own Hannah Hoover about her joining the World Race beginning in October. (She’s in Bolivia now!) The Challenge Class is excited to follow her during this journey and are committing to praying for her regularly. Here is the link to her blog: Hannah Hoover

Truth & Light for the Downcast Soul (Psalms 42-43)

When we are downcast we always respond poorly, which is why we need to grasp why we’re downcast, how to speak light and truth to our souls, and what it means to put one’s hope in God when life looks dim and bleak.

The writer of this pair of Psalms helps us understand the yearnings and opportunities of what takes place when our souls are downcast.

Message title: Truth & Light for the Downcast Soul (Psalms 42-43)
Fourth week in Summer Psalms
Scriptures: Psalms 42-43
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 7/2/17

Listen or download:

Quotes:

“Look at Jesus. He was perfect, right? And yet he goes around crying all the time. He is always weeping, a man of sorrows. Do you know why? Because he is perfect. Because when you are not all absorbed in yourself, you can feel the sadness of the world. And therefore, what you actually have is that the joy of the Lord happens inside the sorrow. It doesn’t come after the sorrow. It doesn’t come after the uncontrollable weeping. The weeping drives you into the joy, it enhances the joy, and then the joy enables you to actually feel your grief without its sinking you. In other words, you are finally emotionally healthy.”
—Tim Keller, Walking With God Through Pain & Suffering

“God is glorified not only by His glory’s being seen, but by its being rejoiced in.”
—Jonathan Edwards

The seventh chapter of the Story Catechism is about The Great Lie:

Unfortunately, Adam and Eve believed the lie.
Anytime we don’t trust in and believe in God that’s called sin.
When we sin, that’s called disobedience.
All of sin is rebellion.
But God’s grand design is love.

Additionally, Dr. David Murray (author of Christians Get Depressed Too: Hope and Help for Depressed Peoplewrote a brief blog post with some helpful advice for us all:

Many of us struggle with what to do when someone we know is depressed.

We want to help but fear, confusion, or misunderstanding holds us back.

Dr. Murray suggests eight guidelines for helping depressed people:

1. Prepare for it.

2. Don’t assume personal sin.

3. Measure the dimensions.

4. Don’t rush to or rule out medication.

5. Be holistic.

6. Involve family and friends.

7. Maintain spiritual disciplines.

8. Give hope.

  • Read Dr. Murray’s explanation of each point here.

Scripture readings:

Psalm 37:1-5 (ESV)

Of David.

37 Fret not yourself because of evildoers;
    be not envious of wrongdoers!
For they will soon fade like the grass
    and wither like the green herb.

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
    trust in him, and he will act.

Psalm 38:9-12 (NLT)

You know what I long for, Lord;
    you hear my every sigh.
10 My heart beats wildly, my strength fails,
    and I am going blind.
11 My loved ones and friends stay away, fearing my disease.
    Even my own family stands at a distance.
12 Meanwhile, my enemies lay traps to kill me.
    Those who wish me harm make plans to ruin me.
    All day long they plan their treachery.

Psalm 39:4-7 (NLT)

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be.
    Remind me that my days are numbered—
    how fleeting my life is.
You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand.
    My entire lifetime is just a moment to you;
    at best, each of us is but a breath.” Interlude

We are merely moving shadows,
    and all our busy rushing ends in nothing.
We heap up wealth,
    not knowing who will spend it.
And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?
    My only hope is in you.

Psalm 42:1-11 (ESV)

To the choirmaster. A Maskil of the Sons of Korah.

42 As a deer pants for flowing streams,
    so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God,
    for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my food
    day and night,
while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?”
These things I remember,
    as I pour out my soul:
how I would go with the throng
    and lead them in procession to the house of God
with glad shouts and songs of praise,
    a multitude keeping festival.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

My soul is cast down within me;
    therefore I remember you
from the land of Jordan and of Hermon,
    from Mount Mizar.
Deep calls to deep
    at the roar of your waterfalls;
all your breakers and your waves
    have gone over me.
By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.
I say to God, my rock:
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
    because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones,
    my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?”

11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.

Psalm 43:1-5 (ESV)

43 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause
    against an ungodly people,
from the deceitful and unjust man
    deliver me!
For you are the God in whom I take refuge;
    why have you rejected me?
Why do I go about mourning
    because of the oppression of the enemy?

Send out your light and your truth;
    let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
    and to your dwelling!
Then I will go to the altar of God,
    to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
    O God, my God.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.


Audio for this teaching may be played above, and is included in the RENEW Church podcastsubscribe in iTunes here, or access the church podcast feed directly here.

This year each of us is invited on an adventure to build an altar to God each new day, to look up and love our Creator first. What will be your plan to develop a new rhythm of seeking God each day? » Find some help here.

Facing God & Future-proofing Life (Psalm 27)

There are a few strategies people employ to deal with life:

  • fight,
  • be cynical,
  • give up.

David offers us a better way, living before the face of God.

Did you know that what you seek in every interaction and situation is really found best, only, and eternally in the face of God? 

Message title: Facing God & Future-proofing Life (Psalm 27)
Third week in Summer Psalms
Scriptures: Psalm 27:1-14; 30:1-5; Romans 5:12-19
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 6/25/17

Listen or download:

(We’re pausing on the Gospel of Mark for the Summer, and will pick up this study again in the future.)

Scripture readings:

Psalm 27:1-14 (ESV):

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation

Of David.

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold[a] of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

When evildoers assail me
    to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
    it is they who stumble and fall.

Though an army encamp against me,
    my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
    yet[b] I will be confident.

One thing have I asked of the Lord,
    that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
    and to inquire[c] in his temple.

For he will hide me in his shelter
    in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
    he will lift me high upon a rock.

And now my head shall be lifted up
    above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
    sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
    be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek[d] my face.”
My heart says to you,
    “Your face, Lord, do I seek.”[e]
    Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
    O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
    O God of my salvation!
10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
    but the Lord will take me in.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,
    and lead me on a level path
    because of my enemies.
12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
    for false witnesses have risen against me,
    and they breathe out violence.

13 I believe that I shall look[f] upon the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living!
14 Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;
    wait for the Lord!

Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 27:1 Or refuge
  2. Psalm 27:3 Or in this
  3. Psalm 27:4 Or meditate
  4. Psalm 27:8 The command (seek) is addressed to more than one person
  5. Psalm 27:8 The meaning of the Hebrew verse is uncertain
  6. Psalm 27:13 Other Hebrew manuscripts Oh! Had I not believed that I would look

Psalm 30:1-5 (ESV)

Joy Comes with the Morning
A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple.

30 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up
    and have not let my foes rejoice over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
    and you have healed me.
O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;
    you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.[a]

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,
    and give thanks to his holy name.[b]
For his anger is but for a moment,
    and his favor is for a lifetime.[c]
Weeping may tarry for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 30:3 Or to life, that I should not go down to the pit
  2. Psalm 30:4 Hebrew to the memorial of his holiness (see Exodus 3:15)
  3. Psalm 30:5 Or and in his favor is life

Romans 5:12-19 (ESV)

Death in Adam, Life in Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men[a] because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law.14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man’s trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man’s sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification.17 For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass[b] led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness[c] leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.

Footnotes:

  1. Romans 5:12 The Greek word anthropoi refers here to both men and women; also twice in verse 18
  2. Romans 5:18 Or the trespass of one
  3. Romans 5:18 Or the act of righteousness of one


Audio for this teaching may be played above, and is included in the RENEW Church podcastsubscribe in iTunes here, or access the church podcast feed directly here.

This year each of us is invited on an adventure to build an altar to God each new day, to look up and love our Creator first. What will be your plan to develop a new rhythm of seeking God each day? » Find some help here.

Strengthened to Face Anything & Everything (Psalm 18)

Psalm 18 begins with a prayer that reveals the secret to David’s strength:

“I love You, O Lord, my strength.

It’s one thing to knuckle down in adversity, and endure. That’s commendable. It’s another and deeper reality to to rise above a hardship with a superior love, a passion in God, with God, and for God, that allows a person to face anything, and everything.

Message title: Strengthened to Face Anything & Everything (Psalm 18)
Second week in Summer Psalms
Scriptures: Psalm 18:1-50; Romans 5:1-11; 2nd Peter 1:3-8
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 6/18/17

Listen or download:

(We’re pausing on the Gospel of Mark for the Summer, and will pick up this study again in the future.)

Scripture readings:

Psalm 18:1-50 (ESV):

The Lord Is My Rock and My Fortress
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who addressed the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. He said:

18 I love you, O Lord, my strength.
The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
    my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
I call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised,
    and I am saved from my enemies.

The cords of death encompassed me;
    the torrents of destruction assailed me;[a]
the cords of Sheol entangled me;
    the snares of death confronted me.

In my distress I called upon the Lord;
    to my God I cried for help.
From his temple he heard my voice,
    and my cry to him reached his ears.

Then the earth reeled and rocked;
    the foundations also of the mountains trembled
    and quaked, because he was angry.
Smoke went up from his nostrils,[b]
    and devouring fire from his mouth;
    glowing coals flamed forth from him.
He bowed the heavens and came down;
    thick darkness was under his feet.
10 He rode on a cherub and flew;
    he came swiftly on the wings of the wind.
11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him,
    thick clouds dark with water.
12 Out of the brightness before him
    hailstones and coals of fire broke through his clouds.

13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens,
    and the Most High uttered his voice,
    hailstones and coals of fire.
14 And he sent out his arrows and scattered them;
    he flashed forth lightnings and routed them.
15 Then the channels of the sea were seen,
    and the foundations of the world were laid bare
at your rebuke, O Lord,
    at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.

16 He sent from on high, he took me;
    he drew me out of many waters.
17 He rescued me from my strong enemy
    and from those who hated me,
    for they were too mighty for me.
18 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,
    but the Lord was my support.
19 He brought me out into a broad place;
    he rescued me, because he delighted in me.

20 The Lord dealt with me according to my righteousness;
    according to the cleanness of my hands he rewarded me.
21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord,
    and have not wickedly departed from my God.
22 For all his rules[c] were before me,
    and his statutes I did not put away from me.
23 I was blameless before him,
    and I kept myself from my guilt.
24 So the Lord has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
    according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight.

25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
    with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
26 with the purified you show yourself pure;
    and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.
27 For you save a humble people,
    but the haughty eyes you bring down.
28 For it is you who light my lamp;
    the Lord my God lightens my darkness.
29 For by you I can run against a troop,
    and by my God I can leap over a wall.
30 This God—his way is perfect;[d]
    the word of the Lord proves true;
    he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.

31 For who is God, but the Lord?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—
32 the God who equipped me with strength
    and made my way blameless.
33 He made my feet like the feet of a deer
    and set me secure on the heights.
34 He trains my hands for war,
    so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35 You have given me the shield of your salvation,
    and your right hand supported me,
    and your gentleness made me great.
36 You gave a wide place for my steps under me,
    and my feet did not slip.
37 I pursued my enemies and overtook them,
    and did not turn back till they were consumed.
38 I thrust them through, so that they were not able to rise;
    they fell under my feet.
39 For you equipped me with strength for the battle;
    you made those who rise against me sink under me.
40 You made my enemies turn their backs to me,[e]
    and those who hated me I destroyed.
41 They cried for help, but there was none to save;
    they cried to the Lord, but he did not answer them.
42 I beat them fine as dust before the wind;
    I cast them out like the mire of the streets.

43 You delivered me from strife with the people;
    you made me the head of the nations;
    people whom I had not known served me.
44 As soon as they heard of me they obeyed me;
    foreigners came cringing to me.
45 Foreigners lost heart
    and came trembling out of their fortresses.

46 The Lord lives, and blessed be my rock,
    and exalted be the God of my salvation—
47 the God who gave me vengeance
    and subdued peoples under me,
48 who rescued me from my enemies;
    yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me;
    you delivered me from the man of violence.

49 For this I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations,
    and sing to your name.
50 Great salvation he brings to his king,
    and shows steadfast love to his anointed,
    to David and his offspring forever.

Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 18:4 Or terrified me
  2. Psalm 18:8 Or in his wrath
  3. Psalm 18:22 Or just decrees
  4. Psalm 18:30 Or blameless
  5. Psalm 18:40 Or You gave me my enemies’ necks

Romans 5:1-11 (ESV)

Peace with God Through Faith

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, and we[c] rejoice[d] in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11 More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Footnotes:
  1. Romans 5:1Some manuscripts let us
  2. Romans 5:2Some manuscripts omit by faith
  3. Romans 5:2Or let us; also verse 3
  4. Romans 5:2Or boast; also verses 3, 11

2 Peter 1:3-8 (ESV)

Confirm Your Calling and Election

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[a] his own glory and excellence,[b]by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[c] and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities[d] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes:
  1. 2 Peter 1:3 Or by
  2. 2 Peter 1:3 Or virtue
  3. 2 Peter 1:5 Or excellence; twice in this verse
  4. 2 Peter 1:8 Greek these things; also verses 9, 10, 12


Audio for this teaching may be played above, and is included in the RENEW Church podcastsubscribe in iTunes here, or access the church podcast feed directly here.

This year each of us is invited on an adventure to build an altar to God each new day, to look up and love our Creator first. What will be your plan to develop a new rhythm of seeking God each day? » Find some help here.

Freedom to Be Planted (Psalm 1)

What kind of freedom do we need? What kind of freedom do we really want?

What kinds of freedoms make us truly free?

Message title: Freedom to Be Planted (Psalm 1)
First week in Summer Psalms
Scriptures: Psalm 1:1-6; 62:9-12; 139:23-24; 2nd Timothy 3:10-17
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 6/11/17

Listen or download:

(We’re pausing on the Gospel of Mark for the Summer, and will pick up this study again in the future.)

Scripture readings:

Psalm 1:1-6 (ESV):

Book One

The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked

Blessed is the man[a]
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 1:1 The singular Hebrew word for man (ish) is used here to portray a representative example of a godly person
  2. Psalm 1:2 Or instruction

Psalm 62:9-12 (ESV)

Those of low estate are but a breath;
    those of high estate are a delusion;
in the balances they go up;
    they are together lighter than a breath.
10 Put no trust in extortion;
    set no vain hopes on robbery;
    if riches increase, set not your heart on them.

11 Once God has spoken;
    twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
12     and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
    according to his work.

Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts![a]
24 And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting![b]

Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 139:23 Or cares
  2. Psalm 139:24 Or in the ancient way (compare Jeremiah 6:16)

2 Timothy 3:10-17 (ESV)

All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom[a]you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God[b]may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Footnotes:
  1. 2 Timothy 3:14 The Greek for whom is plural
  2. 2 Timothy 3:17 That is, a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)


Audio for this teaching may be played above, and is included in the RENEW Church podcastsubscribe in iTunes here, or access the church podcast feed directly here.

This year each of us is invited on an adventure to build an altar to God each new day, to look up and love our Creator first. What will be your plan to develop a new rhythm of seeking God each day? » Find some help here.

Renew Kids: Sunday, June 11th, 2017 (Learning Together)

In our desire to equip parents as they “train their children up in the way they should go,” we have created a blog series to communicate the lessons our kids will be learning each Sunday, family verses to memorize together, and resources to help you as the parent to disciple your children.

Renew Kids

The word “disciple” means to intentionally impact the life of someone in the direction of being more like Jesus.

Disciples follow Jesus and help others follow Him too.

Every week faithful servants enter into this discipleship process with the children in Renew Kids. Their are three classes every Sunday: Nursery (ages birth-3), Primary (ages 3-6), and Challenge (ages 6-9).

This Week’s Story Catechism (Creation: The Garden of Eden)

This week we continue our Summer adventure in the Story Catechism. Take it with you!

The second chapter of the Story Catechism is about the Garden of Eden:

At the beginning of the story there is a garden.
The garden is called Eden.
Eden was a place where everything was in its right and proper place.
And God said it is good.
It was good because God is good and he was there.

Listen or download:

PDF Story Catechism – week 2 – Eden – God (PDF)

Primary Class 

Our curriculum for the Primary class comes from The Gospel Project for Kids and will immerse our kids in the gospel through every story, theological concept, and call to mission from Genesis to Revelation. Ultimately, the gospel message changes everything; heart transformation can only take place when our children experience the gospel. Through The Gospel Project for Kids, our kids will understand the Bible is not just a collection of stories, but one unified story—God’s story of redemption.

 Unit Focus: Jesus the Storyteller

Jesus told parables, or stories, to help people understand what the kingdom of heaven is like. Jesus’ parables show what it looks like to live in God’s kingdom where Jesus reigns supreme. One day, these stories will become our reality when Jesus returns and reverses the curse of sin.

Unit Key Passage:

When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
—Mark 6:34

Session Focus: The Unmerciful Servant

Bible Passage: Matthew 18:21-35

Main Point: God shows mercy to us so that we will show mercy to others.

Big Picture Question: Why did Jesus tell parables? Jesus told parables to teach people about God and His kingdom.

Christ Connection:  Nothing we do is enough to pay the debt we owe God and take away God’s punishment for our sin. Jesus came and died on the cross to pay for our sin and take the punishment we deserve. When we trust in Jesus, God forgives our sin completely. We can forgive others because God has greatly forgiven us greatly.

Challenge Class

The Challenge Class will be meeting once a month during the summer: June 4th, July 9th, and August 6th

This week the kids will be joining everyone in the regular Sunday gathering but will be continuing their study of the Psalms throughout the summer. The book of Psalms is filled with songs and prayers offered to God by the nation of Israel. The Psalms are very diverse, some of them explode with praise to God, while others reveal the troubled heart of a mourner. They are unified in the fact that they are centered upon the one and only Living God. Over the summer we will be challenging the kids to read the first 41 Psalms and memorize one of the Psalms.

Mission in Uganda

Working with Paul Hunter from Next Generation Ministries, he has found the Challenge Class a new mission in Uganda.

David is a young boy that is 12 years old who lives in Uganda and had his leg amputated as an infant. The Challenge Class is working on helping David buy a prosthetic leg in a couple of years when he is ready.  How will they do this? Every week the kids in the Challenge Class have the opportunity to earn marbles to fill up a jar and every marble they earn will be worth $2 a piece to go towards David’s new leg. How do they earn marbles?

The kids in Challenge Class can earn marbles in these ways:

  1. Memorize the scripture verse for their Challenge Class
  2. Study the Bible at home
  3. Draw a picture of something they learned in the bible
  4. Learn a new story from the Bible
  5. Draw or Write in their prayer/thankfulness journal
  6. Pray or Read a Psalm during the week

 Hannah Hoover and the World Race

We heard from our own Hannah Hoover about her joining the World Race beginning in October. (She’s in Chile now!) The Challenge Class is excited to follow her during this journey and are committing to praying for her regularly. Here is the link to her blog: Hannah Hoover

His Love, Deep & Wide (Psalm 103: Song of Steadfast Love)

Though I am not what I ought to be, what I wish to be, and what I hope to be—yet I can truly say, I am not what I once wasa slave to sin and Satan!

I can heartily join with the apostle and acknowledge, “By the grace of God—I am what I am!”
—John Newton

Psalm 103

Message title: His Love, Deep & Wide (Psalm 103: Song of Steadfast Love)
Eighth week of Summer Psalms and the tenth week of #RenewSummer with the Story Catechism (finale)
Scriptures: Psalm 103; Hebrews 1:1-3
Preacher: Jeff Patterson
Date: 8/28/16

Listen or download:

I am not what I ought to be—
ah, how imperfect and deficient!
I am not what I wish to be—
I abhor that which is evil,
and I would cleave to that which is good.

I am not what I hope to be—
soon, soon I shall put off mortality,
and with mortality all sin and imperfection!

Though I am not what I ought to be, what I wish to be,
and what I hope to be—
yet I can truly say,
I am not what I once was
a slave to sin and Satan!

I can heartily join with the apostle and acknowledge,
“By the grace of God—
I am what I am!

—John Newton

The twentieth and final chapter of the Story Catechism is focused on how God is re-establishing and renewing what is right and good through Jesus (RETURN).

Through Jesus, God is reestablishing peace.
Through Jesus, God is bringing freedom.
Through Jesus, God is renewing His creation.
Through Jesus, God is putting everything back in its right and proper place.
And through Jesus, once again it is very good.

Story Catechism

Scripture readings:

Hebrews 1:1-3 (ESV)

The Supremacy of God's Son

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins,he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, …

Psalm 103:1-14 (ESV)

Bless the Lord, O My Soul

Of David.

103 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and all that is within me,
    bless his holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
    who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all who are oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
    his acts to the people of Israel.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
He will not always chide,
    nor will he keep his anger forever.
10 He does not deal with us according to our sins,
    nor repay us according to our iniquities.
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
13 As a father shows compassion to his children,
    so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.
14 For he knows our frame;[a]
    he remembers that we are dust.

Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 103:14 Or knows how we are formed

Psalms: Songs of Strength
Audio for this teaching may be played above, and is included in the RENEW Church podcastsubscribe in iTunes here, or access the church podcast feed directly here.

This year we each of us are invited on an adventure to look up and love God first. What will be your plan to develop a new rhythm of seeking God each day? » Find some help here.

Renew Kids: Sunday, August 28th, 2016 (Learning Together)

In our desire to equip parents as they “train their children up in the way they should go,” we have created a blog series to communicate the lessons our kids will be learning each Sunday, family verses to memorize together, and questions to help you dialogue with your children.

Renew Kids

The word “disciple” means to intentionally impact the life of someone in the direction of being more like Jesus.

Disciples follow Jesus and help others follow Him too.

Every week faithful servants enter into this discipleship process with the children in Renew Kids. During the Summer their are two classes every Sunday: Nursery (ages birth-2) and Primary (ages 3-6). Our Challenge Class (grade schoolers, ages 6-10) will be joining us in “big” church for the Summer.

STORY Catechism

You're invited to continue the prayers of the Story Catechism as a church family, leaning into the school year with imagination and intention. Follow along at StoryCatechism.com/blog
You’re invited to continue the prayers of the Story Catechism as a church family, leaning into the school year with thirty days of imagination and intention. We’re entering the second ten days now. Follow along at StoryCatechism.com/blog

Renew Summer emphasis: We kicked off Summer (on Father’s Day) with a special family service to introduce the STORY Catechism and put it in the hands of EVERYONE in our church body. This kicked off #RenewSummer as we all learn together the story of the Gospel. Every week we will be introducing the STORY Catechism to the whole church family and the Primary class will be focused on a deeper introduction. (We’re focusing on every-other chapter in the Catechism the rest of the Summer.)

Can you believe we’re at chapter twenty, the end of the Catechism?!

Sunday, August 28th: This week we focus on Recreation (re-creation) with chapter 20 in the STORY Catechism: RETURN

The twentieth chapter of the Story Catechism is focused on how God is re-establishing and renewing what is right and good through Jesus.

Through Jesus, God is reestablishing peace.
Through Jesus, God is bringing freedom.
Through Jesus, God is renewing His creation.
Through Jesus, God is putting everything back in its right and proper place.
And through Jesus, once again it is very good.

 Story Catechism – chapter 20 – Recreation– Return – Word Search (PDF)

Audio Audio for instruction for using the Story Catechism this Summer can be found here. Enjoy! #weareintheStory

Story Catechism

We are in the Story

Renew Summer: Story Catechism